The philosophy of our practice is to deliver services to children, adolescents and those with special needs in a Christian atmosphere. It is our desire, after rendering our patients free of dental disease, to educate them and their parents on ways to prevent further dental problems. We hope not to concentrate on the mouth and oral environment only, but to be concerned with the total patient and his family.

Our goal is to treat each person who enters this practice with warmth, friendliness, and respect – just the way we would treat ourselves or a guest in our home. We hope that our patients can enjoy positive experiences while at our office and thus carry a healthy smile and positive attitude about dentistry into their adult life.

Our Team

Our team has the sincere desire to make your child feel special and at ease at Meridian Pediatric Dental Group.

It is our goal, as a pediatric dental office, to treat your child just as we would our very own child. Keeping you, the parent, informed is also a big part of our service. Each staff member has been specially trained and is skilled in taking care of the pediatric dental patient in a fun-filled yet professional manner.

Our treatment team is certified in basic life support and radiology by the Mississippi Board of Dental Examiners. Our staff has over 50 years of experience in delivering the highest possible level of care to the child dental patient. We also strive to stay updated on the very latest in dental treatment techniques and technology by attending continuing education courses and seminars. Please feel free to ask our staff any questions you may have and they will be happy to answer your questions or concerns.

Appointments

Treatment appointments are scheduled in the morning hours before 1 p.m. We have found that treatment appointments are easier when your child, the doctor and staff are fresh. Afternoon appointments are reserved for check-ups and orthodontic adjustments. If you cannot make an appointment or will be late, please call the office. We make every effort to stay on schedule, but the time spent with our patients is more important to us than a schedule. Thus,

due to the unpredictable nature of children, sometimes we do run behind schedule. If you have to wait more than 15 minutes, please ask our business staff the reason for the delay.

Insurance

The goal of our office is to provide the highest quality dental services to each child we have the privilege of treating. We want treatment to be rendered in a manner that is efficient and comfortable for each child. We also want the financial aspects of the treatment to be comfortable for the parents.

Our office is committed to helping you maximize your insurance benefits. We will be happy to file any insurance forms for you if you bring your insurance handbook and information. Insurance deductibles or percentage

of fees not covered by dental insurance are due when services are rendered. If the insurance payment is not received within 45 days, you will be responsible for the unpaid balance. Any problem with your insurance is between you and your insurance carrier.

On your first visit to our office, please bring your insurance card and our First Visit Packet already completed. If you do not bring it with you, please come 15 minutes early so that we can see your child on time.

Your insurance determines your coverage. Any amount not covered by your insurance will be due that day.

We accept many insurance plans and as a courtesy, we will submit your insurance claim for you. The portion that is not covered by the insurance company is your responsibility and due at the time of service.

It is a benefit to you to know and understand what your insurance benefits are, including deductibles and co-pays. Regrettably, we do not dictate insurance policies and can only work with them. We will make every effort to help you understand what your coverages are.

What can I expect to pay for our visit?

We would be happy to discuss fees and insurance with parents prior to the first visit in our office.

Our business staff will discuss this with you, and answer any questions you may have prior to making your first appointment.

My child may be nervous. Can you help?

It is quite normal for children to be anxious about their first visit to the dentist. Pediatric dentists have special training in helping anxious children feel secure during treatment. Also, pediatric dental offices are designed to make children feel comfortable. Dr. McDonald, Dr. McCarty and their team will do their best to make your child comfortable. Feel free to let your child bring their favorite comfort toy or blanket.

Team members choose to work in our pediatric dental practice because they enjoy working with children.

We have several children and scheduling is important to us. Do you run on time, and will you see all my children at once?

Seeing several children in one family at the same time is never a problem for our staff. We know that our parents have busy schedules, and we do our best to stay on schedule at all times.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association which encompasses comprehensive dental care for all children, from infancy through adolescence.

A children’s dental specialist like Dr. McCarty and Dr. McDonald is a practitioner who, after becoming a general dentist (often called a family dentist), has completed an additional two years of post-doctoral training in the recognition and treatment of children’s dental services. Specialty education includes child psychology, behavior guidance, preventive techniques, restorative dentistry, and the treatment of children with special needs.

A thorough exam will be done to evaluate the health of your child’s teeth, gums and mouth. Our Doctors will evaluate your child's growth and development and check to make sure your child's oral development is on track. Our office will make child-specific recommendations for the need of sealants, fluoride and other services based on your child’s individual needs and habits.

We strive to make each visit fun, educational and memorable for you and your child!

Dr. Britt McCarty will tell you he has the greatest job in the world! He truly loves and enjoys being with children and he gets to be with them all day in his pediatric dental office. Some of his most rewarding moments are when an apprehensive child undergoes a dental procedure and sits up to give him a big smile and a hug. Dr. McCarty feels that is one of the most important parts of your child’s dental visit. This love and concern for your child will be the atmosphere you will find at his office.

God was preparing Dr. McCarty for his career in Pediatric Dentistry even before Dr. McCarty was aware of it. At Mississippi College, Dr. McCarty took child and adolescent psychology classes, and in fact still uses things learned in those classes to this day. Upon graduation from Mississippi College, Dr. McCarty entered the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. During this time, he decided pediatric dentistry was his love and, during his senior year, did extra work in pediatric dentistry. Dr. McCarty received the American Society of Dentistry for Children Award for the graduating class of 1985. After graduation, he completed two years of specialized training in pediatric dentistry at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio: the largest children’s hospital in the United States. This gave Dr. McCarty excellent training in managing the dental needs of children, teenagers and special needs individuals. He continues to maintain knowledge in the ever-changing area of dentistry and orthodontics by completing many continuing education programs and courses every year.

Dr. McCarty began his private practice of pediatric dentistry in Meridian, MS in 1987. Having been raised in Jackson, MS, he now calls Meridian his home.

He has been married to his wife, Amy, for over 20 years. They have been blessed with six children. So, as you can see, he has LOTS of experience with children. Dr. McCarty and his family attend Highland Baptist Church, where he actively serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

Dr. McCarty has participated in several medical mission trips to Mexico and Honduras and Haiti. He considers it a real blessing to go and serve those people and share the gospel of Christ by meeting their dental needs.

In his “free” time, Dr. McCarty enjoys being with his family and playing golf. He has coached youth basketball for many years in the Parks and Recreation and Upward Basketball Leagues. He also is involved in Trail Life USA serving as Troopmaster.

Dr. Shelley McDonald

Dr. Shelley Wilkerson McDonald is a Meridian native happy to be serving her community. She has always enjoyed working with children. Thanks to Dr. McCarty she realized she wanted to be a pediatric dentist. Dr. McDonald was blessed to grow up in the same church as Dr. McCarty, and had the opportunity to observe his dental practice during the summers. She was able to go on international mission trips and teach children about God’s lovefor them.

Dr. McDonald attended Mississippi State University where she began pursuing a career in pediatric dentistry. Through her sorority, she volunteered at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where she learned the importance of pediatric healthcare. She volunteered at the Palmer Home for Children, Make a Wish Foundation, and Headstart Schools in the Starkville area. She received a Leadership Scholarship while attending MSU.

After graduating Mississippi State University, Dr. McDonald entered the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. While at UMC, she went on summer mission trips to Mexico with the Christian Medical and Dental Association. There she practiced pediatric dentistry during the day and helped lead worship services at night. Upon graduation from dental school in 2008, she received the award for Outstanding Performance in Pediatric Dentistry from the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry. After graduation,

Dr. McDonald completed a two year residency at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi in Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health. She gained experience in treating children of all ages with special medical and behavioral needs.

Dr. McDonald considers her time at the children's hospital a blessing and a valuable learning experience.

Dr. McDonald is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist.

Dr. McDonald currently volunteers for Make-A-Wish and Hope Village. She is a member of Junior Auxiliary where she is able to work with local children. She enjoys caring for the dental needs of the children and adolescents of Meridian and the surrounding areas. She hopes to continue volunteering in the community and going on mission trips to help those with dental care needs and teaching them about Christ.

In her spare time, Dr. McDonald enjoys cooking, running and spending time with her family and friends. They are members of First Baptist Church, Meridian, Mississippi.

First Pediatric Dental Visit

Our first visit is a swing in the park!

Getting to know Dr. McCarty & Dr. McDonald will be a fun and enjoyable experience for you, your child, and us. We will review your child’s history, and make sure you are comfortable with our procedures and staff.

Our Doctors and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first visit be completed by their first birthday.

Below are several questions that you may have before your first visit.

Click on a question!

We are

dedicated to

your child.

“We love kids and teens and we strive to treat each as if they were our own.”